Fated to be (+18)

Chapter 18: Back Home

"Gardevior?" David calls out

He was in the forest, a fair distance from the Pokemon community from where he stood now in the company of the outreaching trees.

With a soft glow of purple, a pair of arms embrace David from behind, and he feels a warmth from his chest that brings a smile to his face, but only for a moment.

"Thank you for bringing me some comfort..." David says solemnly as he grabs one of Gardevior's hands in his own

'So how was it? Being with her, that is?' Gardevior says immediately getting to the point

"We both enjoyed each other's company, though a certain third party made it uncomfortable initially," David says, hearing her laidback question about the subject.

'Well, I am sure that 'third party' had their reasons for interrupting you two.' She says calmly

David no longer pushed that matter since he was sure she had her reasons.

'I can't say who you can be with, nor do I want to, but... just be careful about who you get with, okay?'

"I will," David says while giving her hand a light squeeze of reassurance.

They both stood there momentarily, letting the snaking breeze of the wind brush past the two of them, the rustling of leaves dancing overhead and allowing David a slight feeling of relief and happiness to warm his body.

It was one of those moments that felt similar to those where if he were to drop dead here and now, he would be the happiest man on the face of the earth.

However, all things must end, and David begins to let go of Gardevior's hand, but she still holds on hard to his hand, preventing him from leaving.

'Please, David... stay here. You can be happy...'

David could feel and hear her voice's sadness at David's departure plan.

"Come on, don't be too sad now," David says while turning around to face Gardevior and taking both her hands in his own

"I'll still be at the edge of the forest, and with your abilities, you can visit whenever you want," David says with a smile.

'...'

Gardevior looks down, and a melancholy feeling falls upon them as they stand there.

'You know I could make you forget about all those bad things that happened to you...'

David freezes slightly and goes tense at that thought.

No more demons of his mind to haunt and plague him for the rest of his days, no more unending nightmares that prevent him from waking up at night, and no more pain.

He wanted that bliss of ignorance of what happened in his youth with his mom, foster parents, and living agony.

"No..."

'Huh?' Gardevior says, perplexed.

"Even if I were to forget everything, that does not make it better... my life and what I have gone through are a testament to me and... I can't bear to forget about some of my good moments in those memories."

'David, I can get rid of it all! The death of your mother, your foster parent's abuse and torture, you getting r-'

"STOP!" David cuts Gardevior off before she has him relive more of those god-forsaken memories

His outburst startled Gardevior slightly, which worried her, but David lightly squeezed her hand after calming himself down.

"I... appreciate your concern over me. However, erasing these memories will not fix anything, and I would rather remember them than be ignorant of what I have lived through." David says firmly before releasing Gardevior's hands and moving back slightly.